MAJ 100G - Introduction to Science, Society, and Ethics
Spring 2012 Course Tu Th 12:30 - 2:00pm, 70 Evans Professor Rakesh Bhandari
This course examines how science has changed not only our conception of ourselves but our natures as well. Focusing on the Darwinian Revolution and the latest developments in the biological techno-sciences, this course will make clear how the human has been and will be reinvented. The course will be taught by Professor Rakesh Bhandari who has taught at Cal for seven years to very strong evaluations (averaging about six out of seven).

CE 290 - Design for Sustainable Communities
Spring 2012 Course Tu Th 3:30 - 5pm, 100A Blum Hall, CCN: 14257
Are you interested in acquiring and applying multidisciplinary skills to make a difference and improve the lives of millions in the developing world? CE290 is an interdisciplinary course and provides hands-on experience in design and implementation of technologies or processes to create positive impact in resource-constrained communities. In this course, teams of students partner with community groups and NGOs to develop new solutions together. Graduate students from all backgrounds are welcome. Undergraduates will be admitted under consent of the instructor. This is a 3 credit course. For examples of Past Projects, see: http://eetd.lbl.gov/staff/gadgil/teaching.html

NE 162 - Radiation Biophysics and Dosimetry
Spring 2012 TuTh 5:00-6:30 pm cc# 64024Goals: The course is designed to provide students with an elementary background in the basic physical and biological factors governing radiation effects in man and with practical means for assessing and controlling the radiation doses expected from various radiation fields.Description: The following topics will be covered: radioactivity, sources of radiation and radioactivity, interaction of radiation with matter, dosimetry units and measurement, biological effects of ionizing radiation, theories and models for cell survival, radiation sensitivity and carcinogenesis, metabolism of radionuclides, radiation-exposure regulations, calculation of radiation exposure and dose, medical (diagnostic and therapy) and industrial application of radiation, environmental dispersion, biological pathways, radiation protection guides, radiation shielding, Monte Carlo modeling of radiation transport for dosimetry and shielding calculations, personnel and environmental monitoring. The course will include modeling of an artificial cell system in silico under the Matlab platform. This program will be used to predict the effects of radiation on cells, including cell killing, under different conditions such as cell repair abilities, cell-cycle and cell-cell communication (bystander effect).

The interdisciplinary seminars are appropriate for any graduate or advanced undergraduate with some background in chemistry, engineering or environmental sciences.
Students from all disciplines are encouraged to attend, including (but not limited to) business, law, public policy, public health, environmental health, engineering, and chemistry.